SAPA Bylaws
The governing bylaws for SAPA — collapsible by article, with an official PDF download.
Official Copy & Notice
Provisions of the Bylaws shall not be in conflict with the Policy Manual. The signed PDF is the controlling document.
Bylaws Articles
Article I. Name
The name of the organization shall be “Southern Association for Performance Arts, Inc.,” a Georgia Non-Profit Corporation, hereinafter referred to as “SAPA.”
Article II. Purpose
The Southern Association for Performance Arts aims to provide pageantry experiences and performance opportunities that foster growth and education for its members and the greater community.
Article III. Membership
SAPA offers membership to groups seeking to perform in Colorguard competitions under the competitive rules of Winter Guard International.
Classes of Membership.
- Scholastic Unit (voting, annual dues)
- Independent Unit (voting, annual dues)
- Honorary Membership (non-voting, no annual dues)
Article IV. Governing Body
Executive Board
The Executive Board members have Board and Association voting rights and must be at least 21 years of age prior to the date of their election.
Roles:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Executive at Large
- Advisory at Large
Elections:
- The General Membership will elect the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Advisory at Large at the Spring/Summer Meeting.
- The Executive Board will nominate and elect Executive at Large to commence their term at the Spring/Summer Meeting.
Terms:
- President and Executive at Large elected in EVEN years.
- Vice President, Secretary, and Advisory at Large elected in ODD years.
Removal & Vacancies:
- An Executive Board Member may be removed from office by act of the President or by simple majority vote of the Board Members present at a meeting called expressly for that purpose.
- If the Presidency is vacant (death, resignation, incapacity), the Executive Board will elect a current member to absorb duties until the next General Membership meeting; a new President will then be elected per bylaws.
- For any other office vacancy, the President shall assign duties to remaining board members or appoint another individual to the position.
Authority:
The Executive Board will have final authority over all legal, safety, and financial matters.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board members have Board and Association voting rights and must be 21 years of age prior to the date of their election.
Membership comprised of:
- 1 Representative from each scholastic class except Cadet
- 2 Representatives from any scholastic class except Cadet
- 1 Representative from combined Cadet classes
- 1 Representative from combined Independent classes
Chosen by membership from:
- Up to 6 representatives chosen from top 3 of each round in each scholastic class (excluding Cadet class)
- 2 representatives nominated from any unit in each scholastic class (excluding Cadet class)
- 1 representative chosen from all Cadet groups
- 1 representative chosen from all Independent groups
Term & Meetings:
The Advisory Board will be chosen for each new competitive season based on previous season results. The board will meet at least 2 times per year. Advisory Board members will serve 1-year terms.
Advisory at Large:
The Advisory at Large position will be nominated from the elected Advisory Board.
Committees
The Executive Board may establish one or more committees, each to consist of at least three (3) voting Directors appointed by the President. The President may appoint an At-Large Member as an alternate member of any such committee who may take the place of any absent member or members at any meeting of such committee.
Each such committee shall fix its own rules governing the conduct of its activities and shall make such reports to the Executive Board. The President and Vice President are ex-officio members of all Committees. The designation of a committee and the delegation of authority to that committee do not relieve the Executive Board or any Director of any responsibility imposed upon the Executive Board or Vice President bylaw.
Elections & Voting
- A nominee must be present at the meeting during which elections are held to either accept or decline the nomination or have submitted a letter of intent to the Executive Board prior to the meeting date accepting or declining nomination.
- Elections of the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall be held at the spring/summer meeting.
- Each member unit is allocated one vote. Only the Primary Representative listed on the Membership Form may vote on behalf of a member unit. If the Primary Representative is unable to attend the meeting, a proxy may be designated by notifying the Secretary in writing of the name of the individual casting vote on behalf of the unit at least 2 calendar days prior to the date of the meeting.
- A simple majority of those eligible to vote on such matters in attendance at the meeting is required to elect an Executive Board Member and Advisory Board Member.
- Elected Executive Board Members and Advisory Board Members assume office immediately.
Article V. Meetings
There are two annual meetings for the Association.
- Spring/Summer Meeting: Election of Officers and Policy Changes will be held within 90 days after the end of the year contest.
- Fall Meeting: Information and Preparation for Upcoming Season will be held in the fall semester.
Additional membership meetings may be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.
The Membership must be notified of any membership meeting at which any changes to Bylaws, changes to Policy and Procedure, or elections are scheduled to occur no less than 10 calendar days prior to the meeting. The notification will be posted on the SAPA website and must state the date, time, and location of the meeting, and the purpose(s) of the meeting.
Decisions made at membership meetings require a simple majority of the voting member units present in favor of the action.
The Executive Board will hold at least one annual meeting each summer. Additional meetings shall be held at the discretion of the President throughout the year. Decisions made at Executive Board meetings require a simple majority of the Board Members present in favor of the action.
Article VI. Revisions and Amendments to Bylaws
- Revisions and amendments to bylaws may be proposed by any voting member units of SAPA.
- Proposals must be in writing and submitted to the Secretary no later than 14 calendar days prior to the meeting at which a vote on proposals will be taken.
- All proposals to amend bylaws will be posted to the SAPA website no less than 7 calendar days prior to the meeting at which a vote on proposals will be taken.
- Proposals to revise or amend bylaws will be discussed at the spring/summer meeting.
- Each voting member unit present at the meeting is allocated one vote. A simple majority of those in attendance at the meeting is required to pass the proposal.
- Bylaw revisions and amendments that are approved at the spring/summer meeting must then be approved by the Executive Board. Revisions and amendments require a two-thirds majority of the Executive Board Members present in favor of the action.
Execution & Signatures
The signed PDF contains the official signatures and execution details.
Partner Name | Signature | Date
For legal verification, refer to the downloaded Bylaws (PDF).
Summary of Bylaws Revisions
- Article II: Purpose — Update Mission Statement
Revisions completed by Clarissa Curtis on 5/11/2023.
Need the Official PDF?
Download the signed bylaws for recordkeeping and governance use.
Download Bylaws (PDF)